The Iola register., 1887-01-14

1&>~'.es9
and heard their conversation, HI
would know their characters too vel
to be deceived in tho consequences o.
your scheme"
T" But papa would pay them, Mr.
Royle. He would give them any
pledge they might choose to name,
that they would run no risk. The
money could be sent to them-they
need not appear-they need not b
SEEN"
1--WE know they would run nc
risks; but could we get them to be-
lieve usp"
AT least let us try"
"No-forgive me-we must not
try. We must have nothing more to
say. You have spoken to Stevens; lei
him talk among the men. If the re-
ward tempt them, be sure they will
concert measures among themselves
to land you. But l beg you to have
no faith in this project They are vii
lains who will betray you i'm the end.
The boatswain's arguments respecting
them are perfectly just-so just that
he has inspired me with new kind of
faith in him. He owns that his own
life is in jeopardy, and I believe he
will hit upon some expedient to save
us. See how he watches US! He will
join us presently"
As L predicted. in few minutes he
came sauntering toward us. He flung
a coil of rope over belaying-pin.
looked over the ships side, APP
preached us nearer, and pulled out a
pipe and asked me for light. l had
one in my pocket and gave it to him.
This was his excuse to speak.
''lt isn't SO suspicious-lookin' to talk
now as it would be at night or in the
cuddy-and in the cuddy there's no
telling whose ears are about" he said.
'.rll give you my scheme, thought on
since breakfast, and listen close, for l
dursent talk much; after this we must
Delay, or the men II be set jawing
When we come to the Gulf of Mexico,
you'll let me know how long it'll be
afore we're fifty miles off the Missis-
sippi. 1 helped to stow the cargo in
this vessel, and she's choke full. and
there's only one place where they'll be
able to get at to scuttle her, and that's
right fore ard of the fore-hatch. I'll
let that out to Stevens bit by bit. in an
ordinary way, and he'll remember it.
The night afore we heave-to-you'll
tell me when-I'n fall overheard and
get drowned. That'll happen i'm your
watch. Well get one O. those packin'-
cases full O tin tack up out O the steer
age and stow it away in one of the
quarter-boats. and you'll let that drop
overboard-d'ye see?-which I'll sound
like mans body. and sink right
away, and then you'll roar out that the
boatswain's fallen overheard. Let 'em
do what they like. l shall be slowed
away fore ard, down in the fore-peak
somewheres, and the man as comes
there to bore hole I'll choke. Leave
the rest to me. If Stevens he sings out
to know if it's done, I'll say yes, and
tell him to lower away the boats, and
hold on for me. He'll take my voice
for the fellow as is scuttling the ship.
Now" he added, vehemently, "rll
lay any man fifty pounds agin ten shil-
lings that Stevens don't wait for the
man he sends below. He'll get into
the boat and shove off and lay by.
You'll give me the signal and I'll come
up sharp, an if there's breath O. air
Wen have the main-yards round some-
how; and if the boats get in our road
We'll run 'em down, and if there's no
wind and they try to board us-let 'em
look out! for there'll be more blood
letting among them than they ever saw
before"
He mot;oned with his hand that we
should leave the poop and walk away.
Miss Robertson looked at me and ut
her for some moments in silence.
''Will il do, Mr.. Royle?" she ask ed,
in low voice
.'Ycs." said.
''You think we shall be saved by
this stratagem?"
l reflected before answering, and
then said: Il do"
She went down the companion-lad-
der, and when we were in the cuddy
she took my hand in both of hers and
pressed it tightly to her heart, then
hurried into her cabin.
CHAPTER XII.
The more l considered the boat
swain's proposal, the better l liked it.
All that day turned it over and over
in my mind. And, what was useful to
me, l could sleep when lay down in
my watches below. which was a lux
ury had feared. after the bOatswain's
at the breakfast table, would
be denied me.
] did not wish Miss Robertson to sit
at the cuddy table at meals and directed
the steward to serve them with the best
the ship afforded in their cabin.
When Stevens came to the table he
sung out to the Steward to ''tcll the old
gent and his darter that dinner vos a.
vaitin'!' Whereupon explained that
The old gentleman was too il! to leave
his bunk.
"Well, then. let the gal come" said
he.
'.She can't leave her father" re-
piled.
perhaps it amt that so much as be-
cause / amt gentcel enough fo- her.
It's the Vest End o London as won't
have nothing to do with Mapping. The
tobaccy in my breath is too strong for
her,"
Nothing of the kind. The old man
is i'll, and she must watch him. As to
FOUR manners. dare say she is better
pleased with them than you ought to
be told. 1t is not every ships carpen-
ter that could talk and look like skip
per, and keep xaen under rs you do"
You're right there"' he exclaimed,
with broad grin. Come. sarve us
,ut dollop o that pork, will yer?
Roast pork's never too fresh for ne"
Aad he fell like an animal to the
meat. and forgot, as l wished, all about
Miss Robertson.
In the first watch from eight in the